Leisurely Listen

Do you remember learning to write? With that [crazy] large pencil onto extra wide-ruled paper, bearing down with steady hand and great care, forming those early letters. What if we applied the same tenacity - unwavering goal of reading The Bible? "Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15 KJV) Note God says to "study" His Word - that's more than just a quick-and-done "read" ... it's a bearing-down to find the hidden treasures. I've often said a "good day" is to sit with a cup of coffee and the open Word. Let's be honest, few of us find enough time when we're to bear-down in study and let The Holy Spirit lead us into the treasures of God's Word. Listen to the words of Vance Havner: "Not for a moment would we discourage hard application and full attention to Bible study. But have not some of its choicest treasures come to us when we sat down just to enjoy it, when we ate its milk and honey because it was good ... There is much in the Book that escapes you if you set out to crash it by a frontal assault." (Pleasant Paths). God's Word is most certainly to be read and studied, memorized and meditated upon; let us not neglect, however, the need to seize moments to just sit quietly with It and listen to the tender teachings of The Holy Spirit as He speaks Its truth to the open and attentive heart. Do not neglect the opportunities to bear-down [in serious study] but always be open and welcome to those times to ... leisurely listen.

Prop Proper

If you've ever been part of a play, you know the importance of props - those things that add to and support the theme or storyline. It's not just the use of props to consider, the right props matter! Standing strong and steadfast in the storms of life is a challenge - best and most successfully done with the right "prop." Jesus said this, "I have chosen you out of the world" (John 15:19). Read what He said once again - take a moment for His words to sink in - dwell on them a bit: chosen by God and made to be the special objects of His divine affection. I suggest there exists nothing more sufficiently capable to ignite and flame the heavy hopelessness of the human soul as such distinguishing love as The Father has for man. Spurgeon says, "Christ Jesus .. the quiet resting places of trembling spirits." We sing, "His oath, His covenant, His blood - Support me in the raging flood - When every earthly prop gives way - This still is all my strength and stay." (Edward Mote, 1834). Altogether and alone, my strength - my stay - the all-sufficient prop of my soul. Christ ... Prop Proper.

Remember Rightly

Days of remembrance can be some of the best! Of course, they can bring you low but when done right, they lend cheer and delight to the heart. So, how exactly do we remember rightly? The psalmist said, "I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember Your wonders of old" (Psalm 77:11ESV). The first and greatest of all God's wonderful deeds is described in Hebrews 8:12 - He was merciful toward my sin and remembers them no more - what a wonder indeed!  How wonderful that I remember His mercy and He doesn't remember my sin! Oh, but there are so many other wonders to call to mind - His all-sufficiency to provide in incomprehensible and immeasurable ways in every moment of every day of all my life. What a guiding principle for living - remembering His giving then giving with the same merciful generosity to others. I love how Charles Spurgeon describes it: "He gives cartloads to those who give by bushels." On this day of remembrance, I remembered my Mom's giving of the little things - her time for cooking and baking and visiting, her quiet and faithful discipline to hand-write and send cards of encouragement, seeing me and my sisters lacked nothing, keeping Dad's dinner warm when he missed dinner ministering to his flock, her pranks and laughter ... oh, really the list of remembrances is much longer. So, you see, days of remembrance can be some of the best as we rightly remember our Great and Good God and those He put into our lives to teach us to give as He has always given. A former pastor used to remind me to keep an "attitude of gratitude" - it is the best way to ... remember rightly.

 

The Fix

Some things just can't be fixed - a cracked egg, a moldy piece of bread, a rotted bicycle tire. They will remain in that "unfixed" condition. Here, Mister Bill is also known as Mister Fix-It. So very few things get thrown away, tossed, discarded because they are repairable ... fixable. Isaiah 26:3 says, "You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You." (NKJV). That word "stayed" means supported, braced, upheld, sustained, rested ... fixed. Let me suggest - from personal experience - the wrong fixation of our minds, that which our minds are preoccupied with will ultimately lead us to a state of spiritual disrepair. Such a place becomes the battleground for the enemy, giving him hope for victory. The good news is this state of mind is fixable - a change of focus, a redirection of what preoccupies us, a new fixation. God's Word is the lamp and the light! "My son, be attentive to My words; incline your ear to My sayings. Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart." (Proverbs 4:20-21 ESV). The promised peace is a mind firmly and faithfully stayed on The Holy One and His words of truth. He alone is ... the fix.

Where Are You?

From MWB Archives (Oct 2013). Have you ever asked someone this question, "Where you at?" My Mama would always answer, "behind the at."  That was her funny way of pointing to my not-so-good grammar. "Behind the at" ... whatever does that mean anyway? In Genesis 3:9, God called out to Adam, "Where are you?" Better grammar, but why would God ask that question: He knew exactly where Adam was! The Creator wanted confession from His best creation. Strangely, The Father often asks me: "Beverly, where were you this morning? I waited for you to meet Me; And, where were you at lunch? I seated that hurting soul right next to you; Then, did you see that magnificent sunset I painted just for you? I was sure you’d notice and stop to talk to Me.” Oh, my! Where am I when God calls my name? Too busy, too tired, too preoccupied ... for God? A. W. Tozer said the one thing that made David a "man after God's own heart" was that David was so preoccupied with God. How long will you and I continue to shake-off God's whisper of our names? There's no better time than now to stop - look - listen - hear His Voice and experience all of who God is. He eagerly waits for us to join in His Presence. Do you hear Him now ... where are you?